Brooches really don’t deserve that – in fact, there are lots of great indie designers producing hip, trendy and fun pins.  Check out this whimisical little brooch from Etsy seller Tiny Art:

image: Tiny Art

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

Weekend Etsy picks

Be Sweet is right up your alley then!  I’ve written about them before, but essentially the company empowers South African women by creating jobs and training them to create high-quality accessories and more.

Be Sweet has a charming line of jewelry, which includes the “Little Heart Brooch” – perfect for Valentine’s Day!

It’s also available in a flower shape as well

image: Be Sweet

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

little heart brooch from Be Sweet

This is the time of year when I like to browse through my archives and share my favorite posts with you, my lovely readers

There are fashion & jewelry trends I like, celebrity fashion and some “just because” picks.

In no particular order…

• I love most of Paraphernalia’s jewelry, but this series of bold necklaces is particularly yummy.
• Finding celebrity jewelry is a challenge sometimes, but I think this jewelry from the Sex and the City movie is worth it!
• More movie jewelry – I had several reader requests to find jewelry from the latest James Bond flick “Quantum of Solace“.  I tracked down the gold fish necklace as well as the Algerian love knot necklace.
• I love this whimsical necklace from “Be Sweet“, a South African company dedicated to empowering women in their own communities.
• I still covet Farrah Dragon’s line of silver jewelry!
• More floral jewelry – this time it’s cocktail rings on a budget.
• Simone Walsh is one of my favorite indie jewelry designers, so I have to post whenever she releases a new collection!
• I had so much fun putting together the first Gleaming Things Christmas gifts jewelry shopping guide.
• Feeling girly?  Go with ribbon jewelry!
• “Keep Calm“… and wear jewelry
• I’m going to finish this up with another indie jewelry designer – Lulu Smith, and her bold sterling silver and resin jewelry.

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

Gleaming Things – Favorite posts of 2008

I’m going to have an ongoing series here called “Big Spender or Spendthrift” where I’ll compare different pieces of jewelry – and find options that will work with the average woman’s wallet.

The first pick is the lovely Chanel Camellia brooch:

image: Bluefly

This particular one is plastic-covered knit fabric, made in France.  Elegant, iconic – and rings in at $680.00 on sale.

That’s not in my price range these days…

So what’s a thrifty fashionista to do?  Look to indie designers of course!

Etsy turns up hundreds of pages of flower brooches and pins, including this lovely Champagne colored silk one by Lindsey B’s:

image: Lindsey B’s

Is it identical to Chanel?  Of course not!  That’s not the point though – we’re trying to shop smarter and stay stylish.  Be creative and you’ll keep your fashionista status, no matter what the economy does…

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

Big Spender or Spendthrift? Silk flower pins and brooches

Today’s post is Christmas & holiday jewelry to avoid…

As a general rule – I avoid wearing jewelry that lights up, flashes or glows:

Unless you’re going to a very festive club perhaps…

I prefer not to announce my presence in a room with jingle bells:

But if you’d like to play “Santa’s Little Reindeer” go right ahead…

And the last tip for the day – if it’s too bright and Christmas-y to go on your Christmas tree, it does not belong on your sweater!

Now go and have some holiday fun!

images: Amazon.com

disclaimer: Links are not affiliate or associate links and I receive no benefits from them.

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

how not to wear Christmas jewelry!

Christmas is my favorite time of year – the lights, the decorations, wonderful music and the fantastic food!  Christmas and the holidays are a lovely time of year to share your love of jewelry with people on your gift list.

I’ve put together a jewelry shopping guide with suggestions for your mom all the way to your co-worker.  Have fun and keep your shopping stresses down by shopping online this year!

image: Stock.xchg 

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

Have a “Gleaming” Christmas – jewelry gifts shopping guide

While I wasn’t able to find the exact pin they used, here’s an un-painted version from BeulahBeast:

The pin is silver-plated brass and based on a vintage design.

image: BeaulahBeast

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

Beautiful bee jewelry

How about this adorable sterling-silver plated rabbit lapel pin from Fred Flare?

image: Fred Flare

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

No it’s not the Easter Bunny! It’s my rabbit lapel pin

It’s made from hand-painted & hand-sculpted Lucite, Swarovski crystal and gray pearls.  The details and delicacy just blow me away – it’s worthwhile taking a look at the zoomed in image on the website!

image: Sak’s 5th Avenue

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

hand-painted lucite jewelry from Alexis Bittar

I think that’s why I’m so excited to see Tarina Tarantino’s new “Floriculture” collection of jewelry.   She’s designed it around a collection of vintage resin flowers – which means that each one is one-of-a-kind.  It’s extravagantly feminine, but still totally wearable.  Want to see what I’m so excited about?

Vintage resin flower collage comb:

Vintage resin & crystal flower pendant:

Vintage flower collage “Anywhere” clip:

images: Tarina Tarantino

Post from: Splendicity. Check out our new community features!

vintage flowers from Tarina Tarantino